Semen analysis in 21st century medicine： the need for sperm function testing

作     者：Dolores J. Lamb 

作者机构：Scott Department of Urology and the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology Baylor College of MedicineHouston TX 77030 USA 

出 版 物：《Asian Journal of Andrology》 (亚洲男性学杂志（英文版）)

年 卷 期：2010年第12卷第1期

页      面：64-70页

核心收录：

学科分类：0710[理学-生物学] 071010[理学-生物化学与分子生物学] 081704[工学-应用化学] 07[理学] 08[工学] 0817[工学-化学工程与技术] 0905[农学-畜牧学] 09[农学] 090501[农学-动物遗传育种与繁殖] 

基　　金：the Lamb laboratory is supported by US National Institutes of Health the US Department Of Defense, US Amy Materiel Command 

主　　题：semen analysis sperm function tests 

摘      要：Sperm function testing, once commonly performed for the infertile couple before employing assisted reproductive technology （ART）, has fallen out of favour in many reproductive medicine centers throughout the world. Indeed, the most recent addition of the ＇World Health Organisation （WHO） Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Hu- man Semen＇ now groups many of these procedures into a section termed Research Procedures. In large part, this reflects the current clinical practice of bypassing the in-depth evaluation of the male partner, while assuming that if a spermatozoon can be found for intracytoplasmic sperm injection （ICSI）, it must be a healthy cell capable of achieving fertilization. Never- theless, sperm function testing can provide valuable clinical insights into defects causing male infertility. Admittedly, in some cases, functional sperm deficiencies can be overcome using an ART. In other cases, couples will be empowered by the knowledge of the cause of their infertility, and for some couples, perhaps even the likelihood of ICSI success （relative to the spermatozoa）. The knowledge allows them to make truly informed reproductive decisions, including （perhaps） the de- cision to seek donor insemination, to adopt or to remain childless. Knowledge of the cause of their infertility may provide closure for couples and a sense of confidence regarding their choice of reproductive treatment.